Welcome to the 26th edition of Probable Cause. This is going to be a brief update on where I’ve been, what we’ve been doing, where we’re headed, how and why. The general and fairly abstract idea of a new media project we’ve been discussing since our Hastert coverage has evolved into a clear objective with a concrete plan and a well-drawn roadmap. I’m going to talk about forming and operating a brand new participatory news and multimedia network set to redefine content-driven publishing through a publicly-funded platform: Why? What’s our objective? What are our plans? How are we planning to get there- and get there speedily? What’s your role?

With this initial announcement we are launching our support recruitment. Those of you who are interested in our objectives, who would like to receive updates and join us in our campaign to raise awareness and activate other like-minded parties, please take a few seconds and fill out our form (with your privacy 100% guaranteed), and join our e-mail list - Just click on this button:

The Power of Nightmares was possibly the last great documentary series produced by the BBC. A decade after it was first broadcast I look back at the series, offering a brief review before using this as a basis for analyzing recent events. I discuss the criticism of the filmmaker Adam Curtis for his superficial take on 9/11, before exploring the 'defection' of Jamal Al Fadl, an associate of Osama Bin Laden. I also examine author Jason Burke's claim that 'Al Qaeda doesn't exist' and thus that there is no guiding force behind the globalization of Islamism. I round off by picking up some of the elements that have emerged in the comments section about the attacks in Paris, including the arrest of a mysterious Montenegrin arms dealer on his way to Paris and the emergency service exercise on the morning of the attacks.

On this edition of De-Manufacturing Consent: Guillermo is joined by author and CIA expert, Douglas Valentine. We discuss the NSA leaks regarding the agency's assistance in the CIA assassination program that were promised, but so far not delivered, and how the focus on tactical matters as opposed to strategic may be a diversion.

We also go over the use of "black propaganda" within the media that serves to legitimize agencies like the CIA or NSA. Does anything revealed so far by Edward Snowden challenge the national security state in a meaningful way? Does limiting the release of the documents, while reiterating that "not all spying is bad," weaken the national security state or strengthen it?

“In Defense of Teachers” with Nick Penkovsky

This week Eric sits down with attorney Nick Penkovsky who has represented a number of New York City public school teachers. Eric and Nick discuss the political and legal attacks on teachers as they are deprived of due process and other Constitutional rights. Nick explains the recent history of this phenomenon and describes the way in which the whole hearing process is essentially fraudulent. Additionally, Eric and Nick examine various examples in which corporations and their political servants use "education reform" to destroy teachers and make billions in profits through the privatization of education. Eric details his first-hand experience with, and knowledge of, the Common Core Standards, proposed as part of Obama's so-called "Race to the Top" and how they benefit corporations at the cost of our children's learning. All this and much more...

The Frankfurt Group & the Economic Colonization of Europe

Little-known outside the financial press, the EU experienced an elite coup - a political putsch - by a small group of eight individuals who call themselves the 'Frankfurt Group'. The informal group was formed in October of 2011, and within a matter of weeks, they had orchestrated the technocratic coups - ousting democratically-elected leaders to be replaced with unelected bankers, economists, and technocrats - in Greece and Italy. The Frankfurt Group had become too frustrated with formal democratic procedures, and so they had to do away with the democratic process in two countries in order to implement their programs of 'fiscal austerity' and 'structural adjustment,' which amount to a form of economic colonization over Europe. So meet the Frankfurt Group: Angela Merkel (Chancellor of Germany), Nicolas Sarkozy/Francois Hollande (President of France), Jean-Claude Juncker (Prime Minister of Luxembourg and head of the Eurogroup), Jean-Claude Trichet/Mario Draghi (President of the European Central Bank), Jose Manuel Barroso (President of the European Commission), Herman Van Rompuy (President of the European Council), Olli Rehn (European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs), and Christine Lagarde (Managing Director of the IMF). Their mission is to impose total domination of Europe, through economic colonialism, structural adjustment, fiscal austerity, and to expand and deepen the integration of the European Union. Their method of choice: Technocratic coups. Welcome to the European Union.

Phil Collins- “In the Air Tonight”

This week's pick BFP/Jamiol music pick for Soothing the Beast is In the Air Tonight with Phil Collins. Hey, didn't you just have Phil Collins on not that long ago? Yup, and we're bringing him back again. This live performance at Knebworth in England is the reason for his return...so kick back, turn up the decibels and enjoy...DJPJ [Read more...]